Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Essential Oil Yield and Composition of Thymus syriacus Boiss. Cultivated Under the Mediterranean Conditions
Abstract
Thymus syriacus Boiss. It is an evergreen, perennial sub-shrub that is distributed throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, including Türkiye. The use of organic and mineral fertilizers differs in their contributions to sustainability and soil fertility. While the mineral fertilizers are believed to ensure rapid nutrient availability, organic fertilizers play a vital role in maintaining long-term soil health and supporting sustainable production systems. In the present study, a field experiment on T. syriacus Boiss. was conducted to examine the effects of organic and mineral fertilizers on essential oil (EO) content and composition in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. The treatments included control (no fertilizer), manure (25 ton ha-1), vermicompost (10 ton ha-1), and mineral fertilizer (0.4 ton ha-1). Treatments were found to be significantly effective on EO content and components (p<0.05). In both years, control had lower EO content (1.12-1.87%); furthermore, vermicompost had the highest EO content (1.30-2.57%). In the 2nd year, fertilizer applications had significantly improved essential oil content compared with the control. Carvacrol and o-cymene were found as the main components. Carvacrol content ranged from 62.98% to 84.56%, with the highest observed in second-year vermicompost-applied samples. As a result, vermicompost organic fertilizer can be recommended for the sustainable cultivation of T. syriacus, as it improves soil health while maintaining high essential oil yield and carvacrol content similar to or even greater than those achieved with mineral fertilizers.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Mehmet Bahadırlı
0000-0002-1242-6485
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
February 27, 2026
Publication Date
February 27, 2026
Submission Date
May 28, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 31, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication
